Gastrointestinal side effects of incretin-based obesity management medications: insights from healthcare professionals and patients’ experiences

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are the most frequently reported adverse events of incretin-based Obesity Management Medications (OMMs). There is a lack of comprehensive knowledge and experience regarding the management of GI side effects in patients treated with incretin-based OMMs, highlighting the need to develop practical recommendations. This study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the perceptions and experiences of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the GI side effects associated with incretin-based OMMs treatment, focusing on the unique perspectives of these two populations. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research design, including two focus group sessions with seven HCPs (physicians and dietitians) and semi-structured interviews with eight patients who are treated with incretin-based OMMs, was performed. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Two major themes emerged from the study. The first theme revolves around the different characteristics of GI side effects, encompassing four sub-themes: (1) types of common GI side effects; (2) the timing of GI side effect occurrence; (3) challenges in diagnosis; and (4) their impact on quality of life and treatment continuity. The second theme focuses on strategies for the prevention and management of GI side effects during treatment with incretin-based OMMs encompassing five sub-themes: (1) preliminary education; (2) tailored dose escalation; (3) dietary and lifestyle modifications for the treatment of specific GI symptoms; (4) medical therapy aimed to alleviate symptoms; and (5) multidisciplinary follow-up. Conclusion: Newly identified characteristics of GI side effects have emerged, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Moreover, HCPs proposed detailed strategies for preventing and managing GI side effects. The insights gained could be beneficial for both HCPs and patients aiming to improve the quality of care and medication adherence.